Interchangeable fence construction



N. P. ROMANO INTERCHANGEABLE FENCE CONSTRUCTION July 8, 1969 Sheet Filed April 4, 1967 July 8, 1969 m. ROMANO 3,454,262

7 I INTERCHANGEA BLE FENCE CONSTRUCTION Filed A ril 4, 1967 Sheet 2 rz United States Patent US. Cl. 256-19 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A system of wood fencing formed of vertical styles and interchangeable decorative panels of different designs which may be selectively interchanged to produce a very wide variety of decorative effects, while utilizing a single basic construction.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 473,940, filed on July 22, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to the field of wood fencing, and more particularly to an improved form in which a variety of aesthetically pleasing designs may be obtained while using a single basic construction.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved fencing module in which certain of the components thereof, of given decorative appearance, are selectively interchangeable with other similarly sized modules presenting a different aesthetic appearance, whereby the non-interchanged parts may be produced in relatively large volume using mass production techniques.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved interchangeable fence construction in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved interchangeable fence construction which may be readily erected by those possessing only ordinary skill in the art, and using conventional tools.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved interchangeable fence construction which may be possessed of unusual strength consistent with the relatively small amount of lumber employed.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved module system, including a plurality of differently configured modules, all of which are selectively interchangeable within a fencing unit to form a wide variety of pleasing appearances.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that certain of the components thereof are formed of metallic materials, with a resulting saving in the amount of lumber employed.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary exploded view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing an alternate form of decorative member.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective corresponding to the lower right-hand portion of FIGURE 1.

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FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views in elevation showing the interchanging of individual decorative members or modules in accordance with the invention to provide a wide variety of decorative appearances.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a plurality of vertical posts 11, a horizontal base member 12, a lower grooved member 13, an upper grooved member 14, and a decorative member 15.

The vertical posts 11 are generally similar, and of preferably rectangular cross section, each including a lower end 17 which may be buried in the ground, an upper end 18, and planar side surfaces 1 9.

The horizontal base member 12 is attached between adjacent posts 11 using clip members 22, best seen in FIGURES 1 and 3. Each of the clip members includes a plurality of attaching flanges 23, a U-shaped channel 24 defined by side members 25 and 26, and a bottom member 27. The base member 12, which is generally horizontally disposed upon installation, is installed with a principal plane vertically oriented for greatest supporting strength, and includes first and second ends 29 and 30, respectively, side surfaces, one of which is indicated by reference character 31, an upper edge surface 32, and a lower edge surface 33.

The lower grooved member 13 is disposed in a horizontal plane, and is supported by the upper edge surface 32 of the base member 12. It is bounded by a lower surface 36, edge surfaces 37, first and second ends 38 and 39, respectively, and an upper surface 40 having a longitudinally extending groove 41 therein.

The upper grooved member 14 is bounded by a lower surface 43, edge surfaces 44, first and second ends 45 and I 46, respectively. A downwardly facing longitudinal groove 47 parallels the groove 41 in the member 13.

The decorative member 15 illustrated in FIGURE 1 is to be considered exemplary of a large number of decorative members which may be employed, an alternate form being shown in FIGURE 2. It includes a pair of end plates 49 and 50, each having an outer vertical surface 51 engageable with a post 11, and an inner vertical surface 52. A plurality of decorative members 53 are supported within the grooves 41 and 47 between the end plates 49 and 50. In the case of the principal embodiment, the decorative members may comprise simple rectangularlyshaped planks, some of which are provided with cut-out openings 54.

Turning to the alternate form of decorative member illustrated in FIGURE 2, parts corresponding to those of the principal embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the-additional prefix 1. In the alternate form, the decorative members 53 have been replaced by a plurality of slat-like members 57 which are interconnected in an interesting pattern. In each case, they are at least partially retained by longitudinal grooves 141 and 147 as is the case in the principal embodiment. Thus, in each case a wide variety of decorative members may be employed without altering the basic construction of the disclosed embodiment.

Turning now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 4 in the drawing, and generally indicated by reference character 210, parts corresponding to those of the principal embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 2. This embodiment differs from the principal embodiment in the provision of first, second and third sets of decorative members 211, 2 12 and 213, respectively, each of which includes a lower grooved member 214 and an upper groove member 215 which separate each decorative member from the adjacent decorative members. The individual members 211-213, inclusive, can be altered in relative position, such as to assume the appearance shown in FIGURE 5, wherein they are designated by reference characters 218, 219 and 220 to provide a completely different appearance. A third version is possible, as shown in FIGURE 6, in which the decorative members are indicated by reference characters 224, 225 and 226. It will be observed that by using only three ditferent decorative members, three separate and distinct appearances are possible. With additional decorative members, the possible combinations are multiplied many fold, it being possible to utilize the non-decorative elements, in each case, without alteration.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Improved fence construction comprising: a pair of vertically disposed posts, bracket means connected to said posts, a horizontally disposed planar base member interconnecting said bracket means adacent the lower ends of said posts, said base member lying in a vertical plane, a first member interconnecting said posts and supported by said base member, said first member lying in a horizontal plane, a second member interconnecting said posts and positioned above said first member in generally parallel relation, said second member lying in a second horizontal plane, a decorative member positioned between said posts, and interconnecting said first and second members, said decorative member lying generally in a vertical plane; a third member interconnecting said posts, and lying upon said second member, a fourth member interconnecting said posts, and positioned in spaced parallel relation relative to said third member, and a second decorative member lying generally in a vertical plane, positioned between said third and fourth members; a fifth member interconnecting said posts, and lying upon said fourth member, a sixth member interconnecting said posts, and positioned in spaced parallel relation relative to said fifth member, and a third decorative member lying generally in a vertical plane, positioned between said fifth and sixth members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 841,777 1/1907 Hamilton et a1 25665 FOREIGN PATENTS 202,672 7/ 1956 Australia.

622,931 5/ 1949 Great Britain.

623,677 5/ 1949 Great Britain.

DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 256-24 

